Papyrus P137 — An Early Witness to Mark

Physical Description

A small fragment from a papyrus codex leaf, preserving Greek writing on both sides. The fragment measures approximately four by four centimeters. Only portions of a few lines survive.

Dating the Manuscript

Published in 2018 and assigned paleographically to the late second or early third century. Earlier claims of a first-century date were not supported by the published assessment.

Discovery and Preservation

The fragment was recovered from Oxyrhynchus in Egypt and remained among the unpublished papyri for many years. It was formally published in 2018 in volume LXXXIII of The Oxyrhynchus Papyri.

Historical Context

P137 is among the earliest surviving physical witnesses to Mark. Although extremely small, it establishes that recognizable passages of Mark were being copied in the early centuries of Christianity.

Textual Characteristics

The surviving wording corresponds to passages in Mark 1. The limited amount of text prevents extensive analysis of its overall textual character. Its principal importance is its early date and identification as a witness to Mark.

Significance for Gospel Preservation

P137 provides early physical evidence for the transmission of Mark. When considered alongside P45 and the great fourth-century codices, it contributes to a chronological sequence of witnesses demonstrating the preservation of Mark's Gospel through successive generations of copying.

Related Investigations

Sources and Further Reading

1. Gods Library: The Archaeology of the Earliest Christian Manuscripts
   Nongbri, Brent. Gods Library: The Archaeology of the Earliest Christian Manuscripts. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2018.
   Scholarly discussion of paleographical dating.
2. Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts Digital Collection
   Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts. Digital Manuscript Collection.
   CSNTM manuscript catalogue and digital research resources.
3. New Testament Virtual Manuscript Room
   Institute for New Testament Textual Research. New Testament Virtual Manuscript Room.
   INTF manuscript identification and catalogue evidence.